Hooker Woolstencroft to join in the summer

Saracens have bolstered their front row options with the signing of London Irish’s Tom Woolstencroft.

The 23-year-old will link-up with the Men in Black ahead of the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership Rugby campaign.

Woolstencroft came through the academy ranks at Bath and made the transition from back row to hooker following advice from ex-Sarries lock Danny Grewcock.

He made his senior debut in the LV= Cup in 2014 and was also part of the Somerset club’s A League-winning team in the same season.

The England Under-20 World Rugby Championship winner spent a brief spell at Rosslyn Park before catching the eye of Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young. His time in Coventry was curtailed by injury and he moved on to Irish in October last year after proving his fitness training with Ealing Trailfinders.

This season, Woolstencroft has made 13 appearances in all competitions for Irish and becomes the second player to swap the Madejski for Allianz Park next term, following in Alex Lewington’s footsteps.

“I’m very grateful to Irish for giving me the opportunity to be back playing this season after a long spell with injury. They’re a great club and I’ve loved my time there,” he said.

“I'm really looking forward to joining Saracens this summer and establishing myself in the squad. It's a great set up and somewhere to improve as a player.”